There is more to the heritage of the Confederate Flag than the history books would have you believe. I grew up in Mississippi in the 60's and 70's, but now live in Upper Michigan and proudly display a Confederate Flag. It's not about hate, it's about heritage.
I think the main reason people have a negative view of the Battle Flag is they associate it with the KKK. I just show them photos of the early days of the KKK when they mostly used the Stars and Stripes and remind them that the Stars and Stripes flew on slave ships. Then ask them if they are offended by the Stars and Stripes. You can't condemn a flag or those who fly it simply because a segment of society tries to coop it.
Though it's a good thing that slavery was abolished, it is a pity that the racial issue has eclipsed the REAL reason for the civil war in the public mind. The abolishment of slavery was a side issue which only became a war objective later on.
The Confederacy was mainly created in opposition to strong central government, and believed that the State governments should be the higher law in the land. (Or something to that effect) Therefore, many people might be surprised to learn that the Confederate flag was banned in Nazi Germany, as Nazism was all about Centralization.
However, the Confederate flag suffered the same misfortune as the ZAR Vierkleur in South Africa: Extremists started using it as their banner, while - more importantly - moderate people stopped using it. The result is that the flag erroneously became infamous as a racist symbol. Had this not been the case, the Confederate flag could well have become the symbol of the Occupy movement, as the true meaning of the flag very much coincide with the sentiments of the movement.
I believe the best way for Americans to save this symbol from its racist associations, is for moderate people to start using it, and start educating people on its original meaning.
There is more to the heritage of the Confederate Flag than the history books would have you believe. I grew up in Mississippi in the 60's and 70's, but now live in Upper Michigan and proudly display a Confederate Flag. It's not about hate, it's about heritage.
ReplyDeleteI think the main reason people have a negative view of the Battle Flag is they associate it with the KKK. I just show them photos of the early days of the KKK when they mostly used the Stars and Stripes and remind them that the Stars and Stripes flew on slave ships. Then ask them if they are offended by the Stars and Stripes. You can't condemn a flag or those who fly it simply because a segment of society tries to coop it.
ReplyDeleteThough it's a good thing that slavery was abolished, it is a pity that the racial issue has eclipsed the REAL reason for the civil war in the public mind. The abolishment of slavery was a side issue which only became a war objective later on.
ReplyDeleteThe Confederacy was mainly created in opposition to strong central government, and believed that the State governments should be the higher law in the land. (Or something to that effect) Therefore, many people might be surprised to learn that the Confederate flag was banned in Nazi Germany, as Nazism was all about Centralization.
However, the Confederate flag suffered the same misfortune as the ZAR Vierkleur in South Africa: Extremists started using it as their banner, while - more importantly - moderate people stopped using it. The result is that the flag erroneously became infamous as a racist symbol. Had this not been the case, the Confederate flag could well have become the symbol of the Occupy movement, as the true meaning of the flag very much coincide with the sentiments of the movement.
I believe the best way for Americans to save this symbol from its racist associations, is for moderate people to start using it, and start educating people on its original meaning.
It's hung in my room. It's a flag to be proud of.
ReplyDelete